Raymond James | Professionally Speaking | Consumer Concerns Impact Holiday Shopping Outlook

Price-driven shoppers and high U.S. unemployment numbers are likely to combine to keep holiday retail sales slightly under last year’s pace. It presents a creative challenge to retailers, for whom the year-end shopping season is vital. Although the recession technically may be over, people are mindful that they can no longer rely on their home equity and high portfolio values to fund their spending habits. They’re looking for bargains, say Raymond James’ Chief Economist Scott Brown and several retail industry analysts in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese.

For personalized advice on how investing in the retail sector might fit into your financial plan, please contact a Raymond James financial advisor.

Scott Brown, Ph.D.

Chief Economist, Equity Research
Raymond James & Associates

Scott Brown is chief economist within the Equity Research Department at Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF).

Prior to joining Raymond James in 1993, Dr. Brown was a manager of economic research at Pacific First Bank, Seattle, and had previously been director of research at First Imperial Advisors. He has also worked as an economist with San Diego Gas & Electric.

Dr. Brown graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of California, Irvine in 1978. He then graduated from the University of Illinois with a master’s degree in statistics. In 1986, he completed his schooling with a doctorate in economics from the University of California, San Diego.

Dr. Brown has taught at the University of Illinois, the University of California at San Diego and San Diego State University. He is a member of the American Economic Association and the National Association for Business Economics. He also serves on the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors for the state of Florida and is a member of the Economic Advisory Council of the American Bankers Association.

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